Temple of Domitian
Temple of Domitian
4
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Believed to be the first temple erected for a Roman emperor, the statue found within the building was thought to be that of Emperor Domitian. Recent findings suggest the statue may actually be of the Emperor Titus.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
87 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
34
Average
32
Poor
2
Terrible
0
zuv
Bucharest, Romania37,258 contributions
Aug 2020
As in the case of many objectives from the Ephesus archeological site, not much was left to be seen here either. Just two lonely columns. You need a big imagination effort to to try to figure out what the temple looks like.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohit
Noida, India338 contributions
Dec 2019
The temple has been completely ruined and there is nothing much to see. It's being restored at the moment and may be it will be better in a few years once it is fully restored.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,702 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
One of the many ruins sites in this big excavation. You will see this on your tour. Be prepared for relentless sun and for big crowds as this place can grown in popularity.
Written May 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,153 contributions
Apr 2019
The Temple of Domitian is located to the south end of the (appropriately-named) Domitian Street. The temple was built on a 50x100m raised platform on vaulted foundations. The northern side of the terrace was two stories with stairs still visible today. The temple was rectangular, with eight Corinthian columns on the short (entrance) side, thirteen columns on the long side, and four additional columns in front of the cella (inner chamber). There was a U-shaped alter on the northern side. Inside the large platform were a 154-meter-long cryptoporticus (vaulted corridor), storage areas and shops. During the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.; some recent evidence suggests it was actually his predecessor Titus, 79-81) permission was given to Ephesus to built an Emperor Temple; awarding the city 'neocoros' honors (a rank granted by the Roman Senate and the Emperor to certain cities which had built temples to the Emperor or had established cults of members of the Imperial family.) When the unpopular emperor was killed (by his servant), the public quickly took vengeance and erased his name from many inscriptions. However in order to not lose its neocoros status, Ephesus re-dedicated the temple to Vespasian, the father of Domitian. After Christianity became the Roman state religion in the 4th century, the temple building was destroyed, with only its foundations remaining. Among the fragments of imperial statues found in the temple ruins, was a colossal portrait statue of the emperor Titus (now mounted on a lintel above two columns at the site). A little restoration work has been done, but it appears as stuck-together architectural fragments, carved stone rubble and barrel vaults in the hillside. The temple is one of many ruins in Ephesus which is a UNESCO World heritage Site. The ruins are popular, so visiting early or late in the day helps avoid crowds. Sturdy shoes, water and a hat are recommended, as walking surfaces are uneven, and there is little shade. The Ephesus site is open Apr-Oct: 8am-7.30pm, and closes at 5.30pm Nov-Mar. There is an entry fee of ₺60 for adults; children are free. Parking is 10₺.
Written November 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,141 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
When comparing the Temple of Domitian to other attractions at Ephesus, it doesn’t compare. However the attraction does look like it was thrown together, with more excavation this should increase in interest.
Written July 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MAJ_Dave44
Izmir, Türkiye284 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This is one of the more rugged and undeveloped parts of Ephesus. Nothing particularly memorable or photo worthy. Work seems to be continuing so this could change.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobertFGCarter
Fareham, UK1,481 contributions
Aug 2016
Average for Ephesus, but in other sites this would be a highlight. Well preserved and restored to give a good impression of Roman life around 300AD
Written January 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murray D
Saint John, Canada490 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Great to see how advanced people were back in those days. This place is located just after this first amphitheater across the ancient street. There are plaques to stop and read the history. The roads are inlaid limestone. I wondered if they were all laying in place from way back then. There are still areas of the city undergoing restoration. Everything here had to be uncovered from years of volcanic dust and vegetation. I'd estimate there was 5 to 6 feet of dirt covering everything here before they started excavating everything.
Please be aware at the end they have shops with vendors selling fake stuff. It's OK to buy a trinket to remember the trip but the gemstones are fakes and so are the spices etc. Buyer beware.
As well they will ask if you want to stop and look at rugs or leather goods. The driver is getting a kick from any sales and you're best to walk around town back in Kusadasi yourself to get better prices. There are rugs in town as well. Beware you don't get cotton for silk as I couldn't tell the difference the cotton was so nice and soft.
Please be aware at the end they have shops with vendors selling fake stuff. It's OK to buy a trinket to remember the trip but the gemstones are fakes and so are the spices etc. Buyer beware.
As well they will ask if you want to stop and look at rugs or leather goods. The driver is getting a kick from any sales and you're best to walk around town back in Kusadasi yourself to get better prices. There are rugs in town as well. Beware you don't get cotton for silk as I couldn't tell the difference the cotton was so nice and soft.
Written November 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Varguirova
Burgas, Bulgaria4 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Very interestingplace. I was really impressed. The Story about Temple of Domitian is interesting. Worth to be seen.
Written October 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlantern3
Columbia, SC12,909 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
partly restored, worth stopping and reliving the structure in its old days. good stop for some good photos.
Written July 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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